Q: What do you think about the King Airway and do you think Wilderness First Responders could/should be certified to use them?

Q: What do you think about the King Airway and do you think Wilderness First Responders should be certified to use them?

I think it is like any of the supraglottic rescue airways. It can work effectively much of the time in practiced hands. It has its pluses and minuses; supporters and detractors.

Learning to place a device like this correctly and predictably takes an instructor with experience, adequate class time and equipment. Most WFR classes don’t have all of these.

This is a piece of equipment rarely necessary for a WFR trained rescuer. To maintain the skill with competence requires regular, periodic practice. Placing one incorrectly can be disastrous. A simpler solution, mouth to mask ventilation, is easier to learn and master and under most circumstances can be at least as effective.

Bottom line: Could be, yes; should be, no. The limited time available in a WFR course are better spent on more relevant and practical topics and skills.

One Response to “Q: What do you think about the King Airway and do you think Wilderness First Responders could/should be certified to use them?”

It’s interesting that the National Registry First Responder certification is transitioning to National Registry Emergency Medical Responder. This requires additional skills. One of these addiotional skills is nasopharyngeal airway. I am also a NASAR Tech II and a American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/Wildernes First Aid instructor. If I worked with a med response unit on a regular basis, this might be a skill I would need, but it requires a LOT of practice. It is hard to believe this is something that would be used enough to justify the training for First Reponders and Wilderness First Responders.

David Johnson, MD

In addition to his writing, teaching, and business responsibilities with Wilderness Medical Associates, David (DJ) also works as an Emergency Physician at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine His outdoor pursuits have included wilderness...